Using the app also automatically enters customers into the firms’ loyalty scheme which guarantees customers one prize every month, including money off bills and discounts vouchers.

The app is only available through the iTunes store at the moment and can be downloaded to iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices.

EDF Energy, which has over 4million customers in the UK, said that it is the first app capable of reading energy meters by photo.

Martin Lawrence, managing director of energy sourcing and customer supply at EDF Energy, said: ‘This is the latest in a line of innovations planned for our popular smartphone app.

‘We know how busy many people are, so we’ve developed the Photo-Meter functionality to make it as easy as possible for customers to submit meter readings for electricity and gas in just a few seconds.’